This series was delivered at the Tanglewood Church of Christ December, 2010 thru January, 2011. You are welcome to listen to or download these messages for your own use or to give to others. If you would prefer to have a CD with all seven MP3 files, you may email us with your request.
1. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: Introduction
We live in a time and place in the world where the influence of the Bible is being increasingly trivialized. It is being constantly dissected, analyzed, mocked, parodied, challenged, contradicted and dismissed. Even most of those who still claim to believe it is God’s Word are mostly ignorant of it’s teachings, usually electing to side with popular public sentiment over a plain biblical viewpoint. Therefore, it is important for us to take some time to discussWhy the Bible (Still) Matters. We put the parenthesis in because we know that the Bible once wielded great influence in our nation and culture. Why does itstillmatter? To hear part one of our study, click HERE.
2. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: To Know God!
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship — and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.”(Acts 17:22-23) As the Apostle Paul stood before some of the most educated and intelligent men in the world, he was keenly aware of one glaring fault they had — they were ignorant of the truth about God! Not much has changed in our world. As we continue our study ofWhy the Bible (Still) Matters, we see today that the Bible is our most complete and truthful source of information about the existence and nature of God. To hear the message, please clickHERE.
3. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: The Facts about Jesus!
“Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.”— words from the hymn by Fanny Crosby. Far and away, our most exhaustive source of knowledge about Jesus is the Bible. In our study ofWhy the Bible (Still) Matters, we will see today that the Gospels are significant, first century historical records concerning Jesus. Here we find the truth (1) about His life; (2) about His teachings; (3) about Who He was and is; and (4) about His mission on earth! To hear more of the story of Jesus, click HERE.
4. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: The Standard for Right & Wrong!
Today we see thatThe Bible (Still) Matters when it comes to knowing right and wrong. For thousands of years it has been the source for clear, specific, understandable truth about morals and ethics. The two high points in the Biblical text are the law of Moses from Sinai (Exodus) and the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus (in Matthew). No only do we learn about what is right and wrong before God, but also learn why this is called SIN and that there is a coming JUDGMENT from God. To hear the rest of the lesson, click HERE.
5. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: Tells the Good News!
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”(I Corinthians 1:18) Another reasonWhy the Bible (Still) Mattersis its message that God has provided a means for all people who are in violation of His laws (called sin!) to be forgiven and reconciled to Him. In the New Testament this is called thegospel, which means great news! And it is! To hear more, click HERE.
6. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: Reveals God’s Plan for the Church!
Our faith in Jesus Christ is personal, that is, each of us individually must believe in Him. But He intended that our faith also be heldin communitywith others of like faith – and this community is the church. It is only from the Bible that we learn the truth about the church; it is the community of the faithful, committed to the role its Lord has given it. Perhaps the most beautiful statements concerning the purpose of the church are found in Ephesians chapter 3. In verse 10 Paul says that it reveals the “manifold wisdom of God.” Then in verses 20-21 he says of God – “to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.” To hear all five of the purposes that the Lord has for the church, click HEREto listen.
7. Why the Bible (Still) Matters: Tells What Happens When We Die!
This is our final lesson onWhy the Bible (Still) Matters. Today we examine the Bible’s teaching aboutWhat Happens After We Die. The Bible is our only reliable source of truth on this most vital topic. From its pages we have both the words of our Creator as well as the only One who has died and gone beyond – then came back to tell us about it! Further He (Jesus) has now gone away into the presence of God but promises He will come back again. To hear more, clickHERE to listen.